For Immediate Release

Bowers and Merena Galleries RARITIES SALE
to Showcase Pennsylvania Cabinet Gems!

Orlando, January 3, 2001 6:00 PM

Old-Time Collections Featured
Bowers and Merena Galleries has just completed its Grand Format™ catalogue for the Rarities Sale to be held in Orlando at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, January 3, 2001—the kickoff event for the star-studded Bowers and Merena 2001 auction season.

Over 600 lots are featured, many of which have been off the market for a generation or more—introducing coins from colonials to patterns, from half cents to double eagles, that will be "fresh" to the present collecting community.

"Our Rarities Sales always create attention," noted John Pack, Bowers and Merena Galleries auction director. "Our January 2001 will follow this great tradition. Many of the gems are the finest to be offered in years."

Consignments include several highly important private holdings. The heir to the Pennsylvania Cabinet, whose collection Bowers and Merena sold in several past sales, has consigned some special coins that had been held back—including gem Mint State and Proof pieces that have been off the market for a half century or more. From the West Coast comes a connoisseur's collection of Morgan silver dollars, all certified by PCGS and hand-selected over a period of time. From an old-time New England collection a spectacular presentation of copper cents will delight bidders.

Multiple Rarities and Key Dates
Cents include many different examples of the highly prized 1793 date, among which will be found the Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap types, followed by the famous and rare 1799/8 and 1799, the rare 1804 and others. Small cents include superb gem Mint State and Proof examples in the Flying Eagle, Indian, and Lincoln series.

Gem Proof two-cent pieces, marvelous three-cent pieces from the Pennsylvania Cabinet, and a truly spectacular offering of Shield nickels will greet the catalogue holders. The last include not only such prizes as a rare 1867 With Rays Proof and the key 1877, but also a full set of 1865 and 1866 transitional patterns in nickel—including the 1865 with and without rays and the 1866 without rays.

Half dimes range from early dates through the Liberty Seated series. Dimes include many seldom-seen rarities and high grade pieces including key issues—the 1916-D Mercury being an example. Quarter dollars including marvelous Mint State and Liberty Seated coins, scarce Barber issues, the rare 1916 and 1918/7-S Standing Liberty and others.

"The half dollars in our Rarities Sale include some of the nicest we have ever offered," noted John Pack, auction of Bowers and Merena Galleries. "I am confident that the Mint State Capped Bust halves, the splendid Liberty Seated issues, and the memorable 20th century dates will attract a lot of attention."

Silver dollars in the Bowers and Merena Rarities Sale include early issues followed by the Gobrecht and the Liberty Seated series. Morgan dollars comprise a special section of the catalogue and include many breathtaking gems—highlighted by the Eliasberg and Jack Lee specimen of the 1889-CC rarity, believed to be the finest known.

Gold coins range from dollars to double eagles and include early dates, rare half eagles, "type" coins, scarce mintmarks, Proofs and more—a star-studded offering.

Rounding out the Rarities Sale are specialized series. Private and territorial gold coins range from Bechtler coins of North Carolina to multiple examples of the $50 octagonal "slugs" from Gold Rush California. A rich offering of silver and gold commemoratives includes key issues in high grade.

The presentation of pattern coins includes a gilt copper 1877 pattern $50 "half union," one of just a handful of specimens known to exist—this offered in company with pattern cents, metric dollars, and many other issues.

You Can Participate
Participation in our Rarities Sale can be done in several ways: in person—to experience the auction as it takes place and to enjoy Orlando, or, please enter your bids via mail, fax, e-mail, telephone, or place your presale bids beginning December 8th on the internet at www.bowersandmerena.com.

The superbly illustrated Grand Format™ catalogue is available to order for $30. Or, for your best value we offer a full subscription to all Bowers and Merena periodicals for only $145 (to U.S. addresses only), which if bought separately cost over $300. Dave Bowers gave a preview: "Our 2001 catalogues will feature several incredible old-time collections now in our vaults. There will be much excitement, I guarantee! In addition, all of us will do our best to create the most interesting, most value-filled issues of the Rare Coin Review and Coin Collector we have ever produced."

Complete satisfaction is guaranteed, or a proportionate refund will be given. Call toll-free and charge to your credit card: 1-800-222-5993.